Sri Lanka: Changing Heads Of Media Not Enough – FMM

Free Media Movement (FMM) said that a substantial change in state media institutions will not take place merely by changing the Head of Media

The movement asserted that even though the Heads of Media were changed, no major policy change has taken place yet.

FMM Convener Sunil Jayasekera said that the biggest challenge the new government face will be to ensure that these policy changes take place.

Speaking to media yesterday (28), Jayasekera said that the state media has not shown substantial change in their approach even after the government changed.

He also said that FMM discussed this matter with the new Minister of Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka and that the Minister responded ‘positively’ to the suggestions by FMM on rights to information and media freedom.

The Minister has reportedly agreed that the attacks on journalists and media institutions that took place in the past should be investigated. The minister also agreed that an independent media commission should be formed.

FMM has also asked the minister to replace the Press Council with the Press Complaints Commission.